PH BALANCE & MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

As I have mentioned in previous posts, one of the best things that you can do is tune up your body.  If you keep your body in optimum shape, this will slow or reduce muscle deterioration.  Ph balance is very important to people with muscular dystrophy.  When the body is acidic it takes out alkaline minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium from your bones, teeth, and organs to neutralize the acids.

These minerals are essential to proper muscle function.  Therefore, if these minerals are depleted in your body, you will experience faster muscle breakdown.

Magnesium is another mineral that is required for proper muscle function.  It also helps with over 300 other reactions in the body. It works along with potassium to support proper muscle function.   The lack of magnesium will result in symptoms of muscle weakness, muscle twitching and muscle contractions.   Magnesium is also important to muscle relaxation, which is important for healing after exercise.

Magnesium absorption is important so, magnesium glycinate, citrate and aspartate are highly absorbable forms of magnesium.   Patient studies have shown that magnesium aspartate helps relieve muscle pain.

Potassium is important as a nutrient since it helps to build proteins which are the building blocks of muscle.  The lack of potassium in the diet will result in similar symptoms to lack of magnesium.  Bananas are a good source of potassium as well as other minerals and vitamins.  Potassium is also important in controlling the acid – alkaline balance.

It is important that you keep your body in a positive ph range of 7.2 – 7.4.  This can be done ideally thru eating nutritious alkaline foods and proper vitamin and mineral supplementation.   It is relatively easy to accomplish with a diet of vegetables, leafy greens, sprouts, avocados and green juices.  If we flood our bodies with vitamins, minerals, oxygen and chlorophyll we will create healthy cells.  Conversely, an acidic diet high in animal products, processed carbs, and refined sugar will accelerate muscle deterioration.

Another alternative method of maintaining ph level is to drink alkaline water.  Alkaline water is available at some grocery stores or you can purchase water filter dispensers.

The alkaline levels can be measured by purchasing ph testing strips.  You can test your urine at home with litmus paper strips, which can be purchased in drug stores or online for under $15.  It is best to test your second urine of the day to get an idea of your ph. Your urine should fall in the 6.8 to 7.5 pH range.   Please keep in mind that the ph changes depending on what you eat and when.

References:

National Institute of Health – Calcium in diet         http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002412.htm

National Institute of Health – Magnesium in diet: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002423.htm

National Institute of Health – Potassium in diet:     http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002413.htm